A Travel Price Comparison for Costa Rica Tamarindo vs. Puerto Viejo for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Tamarindo or Puerto Viejo?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Tamarindo or Puerto Viejo, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Tamarindo or Puerto Viejo?

Tamarindo

Tamarindo is a small beach town in the Guanacaste province of Costa Rica on the Pacific Coast. This town is usually sought out by surfers, fishers, couples, and families. There are delicious restaurants, beautiful beaches, and friendly Tico's and Tica's (local Costa Rican nicknames) everywhere.

Puerto Viejo

Puerto Viejo de Talamanca is a small coastal town in Caribbean Costa Rica in the province of Limon. There are two gorgeous National Parks nearby - Cahuita and Manzanillo, and it rains more than on the Pacific side, which is why it is so lush and green with the rainforest coming down to the sea. Clear water, coconut palms, great surf and a laid-back Caribbean atmosphere make Puerto Viejo a favorite among travelers. Located on about an hour south of Limon, Puerto Viejo is the center of activity between the smaller villages of Cahuita and Manzanillo. The relaxed, seaside town is framed by jungle, turquoise seas, banana plantations and scenic rivers. It's known for the Salsa Brava surf break and beaches like black-sand Playa Negra, but this burgeoning party town is no longer a destination only for intrepid surfers; it's bustling with tourist activity. Stylish eateries serve global fusion, and intentionally rustic bamboo bars pump dancehall and reggaeton. With its blend of Afro-Caribbean descendants, expat Europeans and indigenous Costa Ricans, Puerto Viejo charms visitors with a unique mix of people and cultures. Rastafari culture has a firm foothold in the town, and many Rastas sell handmade jewelry and other wares along the town's vibrant roadside. Nearby you'll find rainforest fruit and cacao farms and wide-open beaches. If you're looking to chill a little, party a little and eat a little, you've come to the right place.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Costa Rica, The Best Budget Tours to Costa Rica, The Best Tours for Seniors to Costa Rica, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Costa Rica.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tamarindo and Puerto Viejo, we can see that Puerto Viejo is more expensive. And not only is Tamarindo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Tamarindo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Tamarindo and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Puerto Viejo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Puerto Viejo than you might in Tamarindo.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Tamarindo Expensive? and Is Puerto Viejo Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Tamarindo or Puerto Viejo?

Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.

Should I visit Tamarindo or Puerto Viejo in the Summer?

Both Puerto Viejo and Tamarindo during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Tamarindo because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Puerto Viejo year-round.

Puerto Viejo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Tamarindo. Tamarindo usually gets less rain in July than Puerto Viejo. Tamarindo gets 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

In the summer, Tamarindo often gets more sunshine than Puerto Viejo. Tamarindo gets 164 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Viejo receives 124 hours of full sun.

In the summer, Tamarindo is around the same temperature as Puerto Viejo. Typically, the summer temperatures in Tamarindo in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Puerto Viejo averages at about 26°C (79°F).

Should I visit Tamarindo or Puerto Viejo in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Tamarindo and Puerto Viejo. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Tamarindo year-round. Puerto Viejo attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Puerto Viejo receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Tamarindo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Tamarindo usually receives more rain than Puerto Viejo. Tamarindo gets 254 mm (10 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 198 mm (7.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Tamarindo usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Puerto Viejo during autumn. Tamarindo gets 169 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Viejo receives 159 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Tamarindo is generally around the same temperature as Puerto Viejo. Daily temperatures in Tamarindo average around 27°C (81°F), and Puerto Viejo fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

Should I visit Tamarindo or Puerto Viejo in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Tamarindo as well as Puerto Viejo. Tamarindo attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Puerto Viejo throughout the year.

It's quite rainy in Puerto Viejo. Tamarindo usually gets less rain in January than Puerto Viejo. Tamarindo gets 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 319 mm (12.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tamarindo this time of the year. In the winter, Tamarindo often gets more sunshine than Puerto Viejo. Tamarindo gets 264 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Viejo receives 159 hours of full sun.

Tamarindo is around the same temperature as Puerto Viejo in the winter. The daily temperature in Tamarindo averages around 27°C (81°F) in January, and Puerto Viejo fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

Should I visit Tamarindo or Puerto Viejo in the Spring?

Both Puerto Viejo and Tamarindo are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Tamarindo throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Puerto Viejo because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Puerto Viejo. In April, Tamarindo usually receives less rain than Puerto Viejo. Tamarindo gets 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Tamarindo. Tamarindo usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Viejo during spring. Tamarindo gets 255 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Viejo receives 172 hours of full sun in the spring.

In the spring, Tamarindo is a little warmer than Puerto Viejo. Typically, the spring temperatures in Tamarindo in April average around 29°C (85°F), and Puerto Viejo averages at about 26°C (79°F).

Typical Weather for Puerto Viejo and Tamarindo